Squirrels in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is a good month to see squirrels in South Dakota. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 615 of the 4,702 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for squirrels in South Dakota
13.1%
of yearly sightings
615
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
4,702
verified records a year
April 4.4%, May 13.1%, June 24.1%. Busiest month is June at 24.1%.
4,702 verified observations of squirrels in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When squirrels are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
1,133 records (24.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 0.8% |
| February | 35 | 0.7% |
| March | 87 | 1.9% |
| April | 205 | 4.4% |
| May | 615 | 13.1% |
| Junepeak | 1,133 | 24.1% |
| Julypeak | 1,037 | 22.1% |
| Augustpeak | 636 | 13.5% |
| September | 535 | 11.4% |
| October | 243 | 5.2% |
| November | 82 | 1.7% |
| December | 57 | 1.2% |
Squirrels you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | 2,477 |
| Least Chipmunk | 749 |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | 462 |
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | 341 |
| American Red Squirrel | 287 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | 216 |
| Richardson's Ground Squirrel | 70 |
| Groundhog | 45 |
In South Dakota, May carries 13.1% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.1%) after. The busiest month is June (24.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The squirrels most often recorded in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which squirrels you are most likely to see
- Black-tailed Prairie Dog2,477 records
- Least Chipmunk749 records
- Eastern Fox Squirrel462 records
- Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel341 records
- American Red Squirrel287 records
- Yellow-bellied Marmot216 records
Plan your squirrel trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main squirrel viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see squirrels in South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 615 of the 4,702 verified squirrels sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see squirrels in South Dakota?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for squirrels in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 4,702 verified observations.
Which squirrels are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Least Chipmunk and Eastern Fox Squirrel, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See squirrels in South Dakota in other months
More wildlife in South Dakota